Al Ain to cease production

04 June 2004

One of the UAE’s major cement factories based in Al Ain is likely to cease production this month as city authorities have restrained the company from extracting raw materials from the foothills of Jebel Hafeet, as it was damaging the scenic beauty of the area where the government has ambitious plans to construct a national park to conserve biodiversity and promote eco-tourism. According to sources, the company was recently told to immediately suspend its activities for extracting rocks in the area, which it uses as a major raw material in the manufacturing of the cement.

The huge manufacturing unit which has the capacity to manufacture 4500 metric tonnes of cement per day, earlier decided to transport the rocks from the Ras Al Khaimah to keep itself afloat but resulted in the escalation in the cost of production of the cement. As a result, the company now plans to relocate its manufacturing base.

Jebel Hafeet is the only mountainous area within the Abu Dhabi emirate, located just south of Al Ain and about 170 kilometres east of Abu Dhabi city. The mountain rises to 1200m above sea level and is characterised by its magnificent landscapes and wadis, which support a wide range of animals and plants.